Re: Be happy! WP Happiness proposal received strong endorsement from a happy ruler
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Prayut: 'Democracy would see poorer people dominate Thailand election, again.'
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/21/world/asia/leung-chun-ying-hong-kong-china-protests.html
'The military-appointed leader of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, said Monday evening that it was unacceptable to allow his successors to be chosen in open elections, in part because doing so would risk giving poorer residents, especially the over 80% farmers, a dominant voice in politics.
Gen Prayut made the statement during a broad-ranging defense of his military's secret collaboration with the anti-democracy protests that have disrupted the kingdom for more than three years.
In an interview with a small group of journalists from American and European news media organizations, his first with foreign media since his junta had banned all demonstrations, he acknowledged that many of the farmers are angry over the lack of infrastructure development in their villages and fair price for their harvest. But he argued that containing populist pressures was an important reason for resisting the poors' demands for fully open elections.
Instead, he backed the anti-Democrats' position that all candidates to succeed him as PM, the top post in the kingdom, must be screened by a “broadly representative” nominating committee appointed by His Majesty. That screening, he said, would insulate candidates from popular pressure to create a welfare state, and would allow the kingdom government to follow more business-friendly policies to address economic inequality instead.
Gen Prayut's blunt remark reflect a widely held view among the Bangkok elites that the general public cannot be trusted to govern the kingdom well. His statements appeared likely to draw fresh criticisms from the democratic opposition, and to inflame the struggle over Thailand's political future.'
'Gen Prayut warned that if parliamentarians were voted by the public, the population that earns less than the median monthly salary of 18,000 Bahts could dominate the process.
“If it’s entirely a numbers game and numeric representation, then obviously you’d be talking to the half of the people in Thailand who earn less than 18,000 Bahts a month,” Gen Prayut said.
Thailand has one of the world’s biggest wealth gaps and one of the world’s lowest rice prices (lower than India, Vietnam and even Cambodia before Thaksin implemented the popular rice subsidies scheme), factors that have increased the frustration of poor farmers.
Gen Prayut also warned that regardless of the election process, His Majesty has the right to decide whether or not to appoint the winner. “You could imagine the scale and the kind of constitutional crisis if His Majesty said to the people of Thailand, ‘Sorry, this person who you just elected is not appointable and is not acceptable. Go back to the polling station and try again,’ ” he said.'
'Gen Prayut's latest comments are likely to further fuel the anger of urban poors and rural farmers who see him as hapless, out of touch and pandering to the whims of a small number of tycoons who dominate the Bangkok financial hub.
His quotes also echo that of Prem, a well-connected politician and regular adviser to the palace.
Prem said recently that greater democratic freedom in the semi-feudal, semi-democratic kingdom must be balanced against the kingdom's powerful Bangkok business elite who would have to share their “slice of the pie” with voters.
“The Bangkok business community is in reality a very small group of elites in Thailand who control the destiny of the economy in Thailand. If we ignore their interests, Thailand capitalism will stop working” he said in August.'
Happiness PM : "When I draw a sword… the Red Shirts will be afraid and faint."
On the sword: Martial law
On the sign held by Thaksin in the background: Pretend to be afraid and faint
[The cartoon reflects the belief that the Red Shirts are being purposely restrained by Thaksin and not because they fear martial law or wish reconciliation. Reports indicate that Thaksin ordered his Red Shirt supporters to keep silent during the junta government period and wait until a future time when elections will return his political party to power.]
「武林至尊,宝刀蒲眉,号令天下,莫敢不从!达信不出,谁与争锋?」
Meanwhile, his heroic story continues: Feet on the ground, eyes to the stars.
[video=youtube;3VjStKuvnEw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VjStKuvnEw[/video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VjStKuvnEw
Happiness PM to the poor: " Who needs Democracy when everyone in Thailand is so Happy ?"
WP and PM Prayut : "Towards a First World Happiness, 邁向西方極樂世界。“
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